Baseball and similar game



F. B. SEN-MONS BASEBALL AND SIMILAR GAME Mwah 4, wm.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. '7, 1958 INVEJvToR. F5 www0/V5 March 4, 194iA F. B. sin/:MONS

BAT EBALL AND SIL-* "LAB GAME 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov u Arnim/EY Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE BASEBALL AND SIMILAR GAME Fielding B. Simmons, Ventura, Calif.

App1icaii0n November 7, 193s, serial No. 239,295'

11 Claims.

My invention relates to baseball and similar games, such as cricket.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a game of this class which will simulate, as nearly as possible, some of the Varying undetermined events and features of a baseball and other games.

An important object also is the provision of a competitive game of this class in which the opposite sides are controlled by different players, and controlled and operated secretly.

A particular object is the provision of a pitcher Aand batter each of which may be controlled by one of the players to direct the ball or game member in different directions and at different speeds.

An object of this invention also is the provision of a catcher which is manipulated by the player controlling the pitcher.

A further impor-tant object of this invention is the provision, of simple and novel means for determining Whether a certain pitched ball is a ball or strike, and also for registering the same.

, A further object also is the provision of a game of the class which is simple and economical of construction.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have devised a game apparatus having certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which: v

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a baseball game ernbodying my invention, certain portions being Ashown in moved -positions by dotted lines;

40 Fig. 2 is an elevation taken from the pitcher control end;

Fig. 3 is an elevation taken from the batter control end;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the pitcher operating means;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation thereof;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the batter operating means;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary elevation thereof;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the strike and ball registering means; and,

Fig. '9 is a fragmentary elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the table or game board on the upper side of which is painted or otherwise represented the field of play consisting of the baseball diamond la, and on which are also shown various playing members, and at the underside of which are the ac tuating mechanisms for the various playing members or devices. At the pitchers box Ib is located a spindle or pin I l, which represents the pitcher and which extends above the field of play and is rotatable on a vertical axis. On the upper end of the spindle is attached a swingable arm l2. This 10 arm is recessed for temporarily locating a ball A .while the arm is swung. This arm is preferable readily detachable so that it may be readily replaced by others. i

Opposite the home plate l0 is located la second 15 spindle or pin 2|, which represents the batter and also extends above the eld of play and is rotatable on a vertical axis. On the upper end of this Vspindle is attached a swingable arm 22 which simulates a bat. This bat is also pref- `20 erably readily detachable so that bats may be readily interchanged.

Although in the ordinary baseball game the umpire is located behind the catcher, in this instance, the means for determining whether the pitched ball is -a strike or ball is located between the bat or batter 22 and the catcher 3l. This ball determining means, as seen above the game board or playing field, consists of a strike registering bar 4|, arranged transversely to the line between the pitcher and catcher, and ballregistering bar 42, located at the opposite sides of the strike-bar and in alinement therewith. These bars 4l and 42 arelocated at the upper ends or form the cross-portions of U-shaped loops, the legs of which extend downwardly through slots ld in the game board. These bars may be easily forced backwardly, and in their extreme rearward positions are flush with the top of the game board land allow the ball to continue its progress.

-On the field of play are a plurality of movable pockets 5l, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 51, all of which have downwardly extending legs which are arranged to rest and to be guided in slots le located respectively at the places usually occupied by the infielders, that is, the first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, and the outfielders, that is, the right fielder, left fielder, and center fielder. The slots for the infielders are arranged on 'the base line, while those of the outelders are also arranged in straight lines but the rst two are substantially parallel respectively to the nearest base lines, and the center field slot extends transversely across the rear of the field of play.

The action of the pitcherY I2 is controlled by three members I3, I4, and I5 located at the end Ii of the eld of play or game board, while the action of the batter 22 is controlled by three similar members 23, 24, and 25 at the opposite end I5.

On the pitcher spindle II, below the game lo board, is a quadrant I6 on or around which is wound a spring member or rubber band I1, one end being secured to the quadrant and the other end of which is fastened to the control member I3, which is a bar for adjusting the tension for variously swinging the pitcher. The end of the bar, extending beyond the game board, orrthe enclosure or box 2 surrounding the same, has steps or shoulders I3a, b, and c which may engage the outer side of the enclosure 2 for fixing the position of the bar I3, and thereby limiting the tension or rotating force on the pitcher spindle I I, and thereby determining the speed of the pitched ball. The quadrant I6 has a catch or shoulder I6a which is normally engaged by the inner end of the control member I4, which is a trigger. This trigger or trigger rod may have a lever I4a at the outer end, which may be merely depressed for withdrawing the trigger rod from engagement with the shoulder |621, allowing the spindle to be rotated by the tension member I1.

The control member I5 is a variable stop in the form of a longitudinally adjustable rod. The inner end serves as a stop to check the rotation of the spindle and may be engaged by one of a plurality of stops Ia, b, and c on the quadrant I8, also provided on the inner end of the spindle. These stops; are located atr diierent radial distances from'the rotating axis, and also circumferentially spaced from each other. 'I'he outer 40 end of the -control rod also has steps or shoulders I5, b, and c which may be positioned against the inner side of the enclosure for locating the member I5 and determining beforehand the limit of rotation of the spindle II, which determines substantially the direction in which the ball is thrown or pitched.

On the batter rspindle 2 I, below the game board, are also two quadrants 26'and 23. On or around the former is wound a spring member or rubber band 21, one end of which is fastened to the quadrant and the other end to the inner end of the control member 23, which is the lever for `adjusting the tension for variously swinging the batter. This lever is pivoted intermediate its ends, and the end of the lever, extending beyond the enclosure 2, may be shifted into one of several angular positions, and into a corresponding recess 2B, b, and in the wall of the enclosure, for holding the lever in said shifted position. Thereby the tension or rotating force on the batter spindle is predetermined, determining the impact on the pitched ball. The quadrant 26 also has a catch or shoulder 25a which is normally engaged by the inner end of the control member or trigger 24. The trigger is shifted laterally to trip the quadrant and release the bat.

The control member 25 is a variable stop for the batter, and is a lever pivoted intermediate its ends. The inner end serves as a stop to stop the rotation of the batter spindle 2| indefinite positions. This is effected by the engagement of said end by one of a plurality of stops 28a, b, and c on the quadrant 28. These stops are located at diierent radial distances from the rotating axis of the batter spindle, and are also circumferentially spaced from each other. The control lever 25 may also be shifted angularly so that the inner end may be engaged by the stops or shoulders 28a, b, or C. These angular positions may be determined by recesses 2d, e, and f in the Wall of I5` the enclosure 2. The position of the control lever 25 determines beforehand the limit of rotation of the spindle 2I, and thereby determines to a large extent the direction of the path of the ball when struck. 10

The catcher 3| is in the form oi a basket for receiving the pitched ball A when not struck by the batter. The catcher basket has legs which extend downwardly through an arcuate slot Ik in the Vgame board, and may be shifted from one l5 end of the slot to the other in an attempt to catch the pitched ball. Such shifting of the catcher may be eiected by interlocking levers 32 and 33, both of which are pivoted intermediate their ends. The slot Ik ispreferably arranged on an 20 arc `with the pivotal axis of the lever 32 as a center. One end of the lever 33 extends outwardly through a slot in the enclosure at the same end of the field of play as the pitcher controls. In order toi move the catcher basket 3|, the outer 25 end of the lever 33 is moved in the same direction as the former.

The supporting legs of the strike registering bar 4I and the ball registering bars 42, of the ball determining means, are pivotally supported in- 30 termediate their ends below the game board. One. of the supporting legs of each bar is operatively connected at its low'er end to a counter, such as by electrical connections. The strikes are registered on a coimter 43, and the balls on 35 a counter 44. The counters yare controlled 'by electric circuits 45 and 46 when switches 45a and 46a are closed. The switch 45a may be directly connected to the lower end of one of the legs supporting the strike bar 4I. When a ball 40 A strikes the strike bar 4I the carrying frame thereof is tilted, closing the switch and actuating the counter in any suitable manner, not shown.

The frames, carrying the ball registering bars 45 42,V are preferably connected, by a rod 42a, to operate as a unit. One of the legs of the frame for carrying the bars 42 is spaced from but arranged to engage the end of a plunger 41 which is connected to close the switch 46a when the 50 plunger is engaged by the supporting leg of the bars 42. It may happen that the pitched ball may be directed between the strike and the ball bars, and engage and move both the bar 4I and one of the bars 42. In order to avoid operation 55 of both counters, I have provided a bell crank lever 48, one arm 4Ba of which is engaged byone of the supporting legs for the bar 4I, and the arm 481 of which engages the side of the free end of the plunger 41, for forcing it to one side 60 before it can be engaged by the supporting leg of the bars 42. The plunger 41 is resiliently held, by a spring 49, in a guide 50, and will readily yield to the action of the lever 48. If, however, the bar 42 is moved rst, an offset or side lug at the 85 outer end of the plunger V41 prevents the latter from being shifted laterally. The arm '48h is slightly flexible so as to yield when the plunger 41 is locked by the supporting leg of the bar 42.

If vit is desired to register a ball or strike man- 70 ually, switches 45b and 46b may be separately operated. Any desired and conventional means, not shown, for clearing the counters for the next batter may be provided.

The pocket or bask-ets 5I, 52, 53, 5,4, 55, 56 u Cil 'play having aV movable batter thereon, a trigger and 51, representing the vbaclnield players, are U-shape'd, and may be made of wire with the legs of each extending through the slots Ie below the game board. At the end of the field of play, at Which the pitcher controls are located, are suitable control devices, shown as handwheels 6|, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 61 for shifting the pockets or baskets, representing the backfield players, to catch or net the ball A which may be struck by the batter. At the opposite ends of each slot, at the underside of the game board, are sheaves 58. Around the sheaves of each slot and around the corresponding handwheel extends a cord, cable, or tape 59 for moving said cord, or the like, by the movement of the corresponding handwheel. The legs of the pockets or baskets which extend through the slots are secured to the portion o-f the cord below the particular slot. The cords are crossed as shown so that the pockets or baskets are moved in the direction of movement of the handwheels. The handwheels are also arranged to correspond as nearly as possible to the pocket or basket of the outfielder it represents.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, and particular means of operation and control of the several devices and features of my game apparatus, I do not wish to be limited to the same, butdecide to include in the scope of my invention, the construction, combination, and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a movable pitcher therein, a trigger at one end of the field for holding the pitcher against movement, and for manually releasing the pitcher to allo-w rotation thereof, manually varying resilient means for causing varying speeds of rotation of said pitcher, and manually controlled stop means at the same end of said field for secretly causing the movement of the pitcher to stop in various positions.

2. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a movable pitcher therein, a trigger at one end of the iield for holding the pitcher temporarily in a fixed position, and for manually releasing the pitcher to allow movement thereof, resilient means for causing varying -speeds of movement of said pitcher from said fixed position, and manual means at said end of the field for increasing and decreasing at will the tension of the resilient means.

3. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a movable batter thereon, a trigger at one end of the field of play for holding the batter temporarily in a. fixed position and for manually releasing the batter to allow movement thereof, resilient means for causing varying speeds of movement of said batter from said fixed position, and manual means at said end of the field for increasing and decreasing at will the tension of the resilient means.

4. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a movable batter thereon, a trigger at one end of the field of play for holding the batter against movement and for manually releasing the batter to allow movement thereof, manually varying resilient means for causing varying speeds of movement of said batter, and manually controlled stop means at the same end of said lfield for secretly causing the movement of the batter to stop in various positions.

5. In a game of the class described, a field of at one end of the field of playA forholding the batter against movement and for manually releasing the batter to allow movement thereof,

means forcausing movement of the batter when releasedby the trigger, and separate manually controlled stop means at the same end of said field for secretly causing the movement of the batter to stop in various positions.

6. In a game of the class described, a field of play, a movable pitcher and a movable batter thereon, a trigger at one end of the field of play for holding the pitcher against movement and for manually releasing the pitcher to allow movement thereof, a second trigger at the opposite end for holding the batter against movement and for manually releasing the batter to allow movement thereof, and separate manually Varying resilient means for causing varying speeds of movement of the ,pitcher and batter, each of' the resilient means having control means located at the end of the field of play at which the corresponding trigger is located.

7. In a game of the class described, ya field of play, a movable pitcher and a movable batter thereon, a trigger at one end of the field of play for holding the pitcher against movement and for manually releasing the pitcher to allow movement thereof, a second trigger at the opposite end for holding the batter against movement and for manually releasing the batter to allow movement thereof, resilient means for causing movement of the pitcher and batter when their respective triggers are released, and separate manually controlled stop means for the pitcher and the batter, each stop means being located at the end of the field of play at which the corresponding trigger is located.

8. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a pitcher and a batter representation, means for ejecting an object from the pitcher toward the batter representation, a tiltable strike-bar located in line with the pitcher and batter representation and behind the latter, said strike-bar being tiltable backwardly from the batter representation by the object when the same is ejected past the batter representation, a counter, and means operatively connecting said counter to said bar.

9. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a pitcher and a batter representation, means for ejecting an object from the pitch- A er toward the batter representation, a tiltable strike-bar located in line with the pitcher and batter representation and behind the latter, a counter, means operatively connecting said counter to said bar, tiltable ball-bars located at the opposite sides and in alinement with the strike-bar, said bars being tiltable backwardly from the batter representation by the object when the same is ejected past the batter representation, a second counter, and means operatively connecting the second counter to said ballbars.

10. In a game of the class described, a field of play, a movable pitcher and a movable batter thereon, a trigger for holding the pitcher temporarily in a xed position and for manually releasing the same to allow movement thereof, a second trigger for holding the batter temporarily in a fixed position and for manually releasing the batter to allow movement of the latter, separate resilient means for causing varying speeds of movement of the pitcher and the batter, and separate manual means for increasing and de- `creasing at `'will the tension `of :both `.of the resilient fmeans. i

1.1. In a game of :the .class.described, Va eld rof Iplay, a movable pitcher and a movable batter thereon,I a trigger for holding -the pitcher against movement andy for manually releasing the pitcher 1to .allow movement thereof, a vsecond .trigger Yfor "manually releasing .a batter toy allow Vmoverespective triggers .are released, and separate `manually controlled stop means for the pitcher and the :batter for fvariously stopping the move- 5 ment .of each.

.FIELDING 1B.. SIMMONS. 

